Biography of Edward Parsons Swan

EDWARD PARSONS SWAN – Many years of success in a prosperous business enterprise have fairly earned for Edward Parsons Swan a place among the well-established manufacturers of Western Massachusetts.

Mr. Swan is a descendant of an old New England family of English ancestry, which traces its origin back to a Dane of noble ancestry. The Swans have possessed land in the counties of Kent and Derby since the Norman Conquest, their possessions in the first named county including the manors of Swanscombe, Densted, Sutton, and Denton. Immigrants of the name came to New England at an early date, and their descendants have been active in the development of various sections of the country.

Josiah Swan, grandfather of Edward Parsons Swan, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1802, and died in Westfield, Massachusetts, May 22, 1873. He removed to Western Massachusetts and settled in Westfield, where he engaged in the business of whip-making. Josiah Swan married (first) Sophia Olds, who was born in Southwick, Massachusetts, in 1803, and died November 1, 1848. He married (second) Sophronia Sacket. Children of the first marriage were: 1. Edward, of whom further. 2. Josephine, who married and lives in Dundee, Illinois. 3. Fannie, also married. 4. Myron, who died young.

Edward Swan, son of Josiah and Sophia (Olds) Swan, was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, in 1830, and died in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 1898. In early life he became associated with his father in the whipmaking business, and in later years he became one of the organizers of the United States Whip Company, of Westfield Later, he was engaged in the manufacture of whips in Southampton, Massachusetts, and traveled by team, selling his products. Still later, he removed to Sunderland, Massachusetts, where he operated a hotel owned by Timothy Parsons. About 1882 he again changed his place of residence, this time going to South Deerfield, Massachusetts, where he continued to reside to the time of his death During this last period of his active career, he operated a mail route and sold fertilizers. During the early years of his life his religious affiliation was with the Methodist Church, but he later became an attendant of the Congregational Church. Edward Swan married Ann M. Parsons, of Worthington, Massachusetts, daughter of Timothy Parsons. She died December 31, 1912. Their children were: 1. Hattie, who died in infancy. 2. Edward P., of further mention.

Edward Parsons Swan, son of Edward and Ann M. (Parsons) Swan, was born in Southampton, Massachusetts, November 26, 1873, and after receiving his early school training in the public schools of Sunderland and South Deerfield, completed his academic training in Deerfield Academy. He then took a business course in Childs Business College, and some time after the completion of his business training, engaged in the manufacture of pickles in South Deerfield, operating under the firm name of E. P. Swan Company. Mr. Swan has a well-equipped plant, and gives careful attention to those details of sanitation and cleanliness which insure a wholesome product His market includes all of the New England States and those westward as far as Ohio. Until a short time previous to 1925 he also owned a farm, but this he has sold. He has extensive real estate interests in many Massachusetts towns and cities, and is extensively engaged in buying and selling real estate. Fraternally, he is a member of Mt. Sugar Loaf Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of South Deerfield; and of the Northampton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Edward Parsons Swan married, April 16, 1908, Anna B. Black, of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, daughter of Sabin Black, and they are the parents of three children: